Ashen Ascension: The Divided Flame-Chapter 81: The Labyrinth And The Cave

Ivor didn’t look at the sword for long. He moved to the side of the clearing, unstrapped the sword, and easily pulled the blade from its black sheath. The long, slightly curved blade was clean and simple, catching the morning light. It was shaped like a flyssa, made for easy cutting, and felt surprisingly balanced in his hand.

He took some practice swings, slow then fast, to check the sword’s balance and feel. It was perfect. The sword moved naturally, but he had to change his timing because the weight felt different than expected.

"It is very light," Ivor said.

Nara nodded quickly, "Yes it is."

Ivor gave him a clear, disdainful look. Weak swords often broke in the Scar, and a light sword was usually weak. Nara saw Ivor’s look and quickly explained to prevent Ivor from distrusting the weapon.

"Ivor, it is a light sword but that does not mean it is weak," Nara said. "It was forged with material infused with mana. The density is slight but the sharpness and durability is too good. Try it on the tree."

Ivor silently agreed. He approached a thick tree trunk and got ready. He pushed the sword straight forward without using mana or coating the blade, just to see how easily it would cut. The blade slid into the trunk as if the wood were soft.

Ivor narrowed his eyes. He pulled the blade out easily, then made a shallow cut across the bark. The bark split with a quiet, easy slice.

Ivor stared at the cut, then the blade. It was just steel, but it cut without the poor resistance he was used to.

"Good isn’t it," Nara said, and he sounded relieved that the sword had spoken for him. "Since we are in a partnership you can leave all your weapon and armor needs to me. I will forge them personally for you."

Ivor paused, considering the offer. A personal forger meant consistently high-quality weapons, repairs, and custom designs, an advantage he’d never had.

"Did you read the book I gave you about side professions," Nara asked, watching Ivor’s hands.

"No," Ivor said.

Nara looked offended, then remembered the situation and changed his approach.

"Ok," Nara said. "Let me tell you. The sword I gave you will easily cost you Veiled mana crystal. And the service charge is on top of that. You are getting it for free. You should thank me."

Ivor blinked. "Veiled mana crystal" was an expensive number he didn’t fully grasp, but he understood the tone. It meant Nara had spent significant, real value. Ivor looked at the blade one more time, then back up.

"Thank you," he said.

The words were plain but real.

Nara froze, surprised Ivor said it. Then he managed a small, tired, and honest smile.

Ivor quickly put his sword away and pulled a heavy pouch from his robe, holding it out.

Nara took it, felt the weight, and looked inside. His eyes widened when he saw the crystals packed within. "This much?"

Ivor shrugged.

He took off his old, worn sword. It had chips and was slightly bent, meaning it wouldn’t last forever. He put it away and tied on the new sword. It felt better and didn’t make noise.

Nara watched, carefully closing the pouch, worried the crystals inside might fall out.

"How far have you gone into the scar," Nara asked.

Ivor pulled out the map, unfolded it, and pointed to a section of the first layer where a thin mark showed his progress. "I am almost four-fifth of the way," Ivor said.

Nara stared, then quietly gasped in disbelief and admiration.

"Wow," Nara said. "That is fast."

His tone grew serious.

"Rumors are already spreading outside," Nara said. "They say an unknown boy is hunting and looting. Ryker confirmed it’s you and is spreading news that I’m working with you."

Hearing Ryker’s name, Ivor’s eyes narrowed. A silent tension rose in him. His instinct reacted to the threat and exposure, making him want to eliminate the problem. For a moment, his fingers tightened on his sword hilt.

Then he crushed it.

He calmed his breathing and showed no emotion. While instinct helped him survive fights, it also sometimes created bigger problems. He wouldn’t let that happen again.

"It’s alright," Ivor said.

Nara paused, looking at Ivor to see if he grasped the risk. When Ivor stayed silent, Nara pointed at the map.

"You remember I told you there are two unique places in the first layer," Nara said.

He showed him two spots. Ivor looked. One was near a hill’s base, where the lines were tight. The other was a cave symbol next to a pond.

The first location was labeled: Labyrinth of 9 Realms.

The second was labeled: Blue Cave.

"These two places are the best spots for the first layer," Nara explained. "You’ll find the strongest of the first layer there. Both are special places created by the scar, and you’ll get a reward for clearing them."

He tapped the hill marking first.

"The 9 realms are a difficult labyrinth," Nara said. "There are many dangers inside. Awakened gather outside, but once you enter, you will be alone." 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Ivor accepted this. A private trial was better for him. Only enemies and rules.

Nara pointed to the cave next to the pool.

"In the Blue cave it won’t be an individual fight," Nara said. "There you will have others with you. You can target the skeletons or even the other boys."

Ivor saw the crowd marking and thought of fights, noise, and danger. But he also saw a chance for a big payoff, more bags, crystals, and easy targets.

Nara kept talking, his tone indicating he was calculating something.

"In my personal opinion, if we want more crystals, we should target the Blue Cave," Nara said. "If you defeat them all in one go, we can aim for five hundred to one thousand crystals, plus the reward at the end, the mana pool."

Ivor looked sharper after the last words.

"Manna pool," Ivor repeated.

"A pool of concentrated mana," Nara agreed. "It’s a reward that can increase either your mana density or the number of attuned nodes. The fewer people who use the pool, the better it works for you."

He stopped, then added a crucial point.

"It only turns on every Sunday," Nara said. "Today is Saturday."

Ivor immediately started planning. A Sunday activation meant a set schedule, creating predictable urgency. More people, including strong and organized groups, would gather there. The Blue Cave would be a battleground, not just a treasure spot.

He looked at Nara, the map, and the trees, visualizing the path.

"How far," Ivor asked, "from here."

Nara leaned in and traced a path along the map.

"It is not close," Nara said. "But you are already near the right direction. You are almost four-fifth through the first layer. Blue Cave is near the late first layer boundary, close to the approach routes that lead to the second layer."

Ivor agreed. It matched his recent feelings. As he went deeper, he saw fewer disorganized kids and more organized movement. The top layer was becoming more focused.

Nara looked at the pouch of crystals again, then at Ivor’s face.

"You really looted that many," Nara said.

Ivor didn’t deny it.

Nara’s tired smile returned briefly.

"The more you do this, the more they will organize," Nara said. "And now that Ryker is speaking, some people will look for you harder. Not just kids. Handlers too, if enough complaints stack."

Ivor’s voice stayed even. "They can try."

Nara looked at him, then agreed, deciding arguing was useless. Ivor didn’t think like a normal trainee. He wasn’t afraid of being hunted; he planned for it.

Nara touched the Blue Cave mark again.

"If we go for the Blue Cave tomorrow," Nara said, "we must assume there will be many inside. Some will fight skeletons. Some will fight each other. Some will try to hide and take the final reward when others are tired."

Ivor’s expression didn’t change. "That’s fine."

Nara’s eyes flicked to the new sword at Ivor’s waist.

"With that blade," Nara said, "your chances are better. And if you can keep your head, you can take enough crystals for Lily and still keep growth for yourself."

Ivor ignored the question about Lily; she was just part of the deal. He was focused on the mana pool and attunement. Using the pool instead of flawed crystals would make his foundation stronger, allowing him to improve without harming his core.

He folded the map, holding it as if feeling the weight of the next day. Nara watched and spoke again, softly but firmly.

"We should decide today," Nara said. "If we delay, others will control the entrance routes. If we rush without preparation, we will be the ones bleeding first."

Ivor truly looked at Nara. He noticed the dark circles, how thin he was, and the stress from doing too much outside ’the Scar’ while keeping up inside. Nara wasn’t a fighter, but he understood danger.

Ivor nodded.

Nara’s shoulders loosened slightly, relief flashing through him before he hid it.

"Then we plan," Nara replied. "We plan like we are the ones being hunted, because we are."

Ivor didn’t correct him. He had already been hunted for days.

He held the new sword’s handle and felt its perfect balance. The light blade had proven its strength by cutting the tree trunk. Looking at the dark forest path ahead, he felt a familiar calm. He wasn’t excited, just quietly ready, knowing that good things require facing dangers.